There’s more to displaying the flag than just putting up a flag. That point was brought home to me today while driving back from Worthington.

The community of Belle Plaine had the right idea in honoring returning American troops.

This tribute along Route 169 was punctuated with an array of American flags on utility polls. At one time, it must’ve been quite impressive. But it’s a fine line between using the flag as a sign of patriotism, and desecrating it via neglect.

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag.

Given how many cars use the highway each day, it’s hard to imagine the conditions of the flags have gone unnoticed. They’re sending a very different message now from the one obviously originally intended.

About the blogger

Bob Collins has been with Minnesota Public Radio since 1992, emigrating to Minnesota from Massachusetts. He was senior editor of news in the ’90s, ran MPR’s political unit, created the MPR News regional website, invented the popular Select A Candidate, started the two most popular blogs in the history of MPR and every day laments that his Minnesota Fantasy Legislature project never caught on.

NewsCut is a blog featuring observations about the news. It provides a forum for an online discussion and debate about events that might not typically make the front page. NewsCut posts are not news stories but reflections , observations, and debate.